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Patient Companion - Fleet Hospital

Patient
Companions play an important role in working with nurses to create a calm,
caring and comfortable ward environment. Offering companionship and comfort to
patients. Patient
companions listen to a patient talk about hopes, fears and concerns. Their
presence and empathy can counteract such negative emotions as loneliness,
sadness and despair, which can hinder effective treatment. Instead, their sympathy
encourages positive emotions such as happiness and relief, which can speed up
the healing process.

Reporting to the nurse in charge of the ward - the role will include:

To sit with and talk to patients.

To give the
patient the company that they may not have from others.

To listen to what the
patient has to say and to, if necessary, spend time with the patient
participating in activities such as games and puzzles with the patient.

Skills

No formal qualifications are required however communication
is the main skill, with the emphasis being on the ability to listen. Another
key skill is being able to deal with grief, sadness and death, if they become
close to patients. Companions must emphasize that they are neither mental
health professionals nor medical doctors. They cannot provide advice nor any
service that can be misconstrued as therapy. They may not change bandages, give
medicines or engage in any clinical treatment. Should the patient require such
services, patient companions can contact the nearest nurse’s station.

Volunteers are requested to commit for a minimum period of 12 months and ideally volunteer for at least a couple of hours per week.

Full training is provided and volunteers will also be given a volunteer polo shirt to wear and identity lanyard.

The Trust welcomes volunteers aged 16+ - this is a lovely role for students looking towards a career in health or social care.